Centre convenes meeting of Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected States

NEW DELHI - The Central Government has convened a meeting of Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected States on July 14 to discuss the strategy to deal with the Naxal menace effectively.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is likely to address the meeting convened by the Union Home Ministry.

The meeting assumes significance as it comes after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s statement last week that a rethink is required on the deployment of security forces in the Maoist affected areas, following frequent incidents of violence.

The Maoists had killed 27 soldiers and injured over half dozen in an ambush in Jagdalpur region of Chhattisgarh last week. The attack took place near Narayanpur, considered to be a bastion of the Maoists.

Union Home Secretary G K Pillai has visited Chhattisgarh to review the situation there

Pillai said more security personnel could be deployed in the affected areas in accordance with the requirement.

He further said both the Centre and the State Governments are taking steps to contain the problem.

He pointed out that the Planning Commission is already working on an integrated plan for all regions affected by ultras.

Maoist attacks have increased this year, especially after the government launched a coordinated security offensive involving tens of thousands of police trying to flush out the rebels from their jungle hideouts in central and eastern India. (ANI)